Whether you work with wood, metal, or almost any other material, you've undoubtedly heard of the almighty CNC machine. While we associate anything with computers to the last few decades, CNC technology has actually been around since the 1940s. As we're sure you could guess, CNC technology has come a long way since then, and it offers a lot of new uses.
CNC Machining is short for Computer Numerical Control Machining, and these machines can achieve an accuracy and consistency that would be hard to match with a manual process. Using pre-programmed computer software, CNC machines can produce items more quickly and with better surface finishes.
Let's talk about some of the best uses and benefits of CNC machining.
The best benefit of CNC punching is that once you set the design, you can make as many copies of it as your materials will allow. Whether you're making plaques. carved signs, decorations, or even car parts; once the program is in, you can just save it and reuse it whenever you want.
While there are simply too many benefits to name for CNC technology, there are even more uses than we could put on one list. Here are some of the ones you may not have heard of.
Believe it or not, dentists are known to use CNC equipment for certain procedures, particularly for dental crowns.
CNC services are often associated with wood or sheet metal, but they can make so much more. Since the equipment is precise, you can even use CNC programs to carve out dental crowns and implants.
The best thing about it is that it's easy to set up, and the precision allows it to create crowns that fit perfectly into your mouth where it was designed to fit. If you thought car manufacturers were the only ones who offered machining services, think again! Dentists have been using this technology for years.
You may have heard the controversy over 3D printers because of their ability to manufacture firearms without serial numbers. Well, CNC machines have been around for a lot longer and have had that capability the entire time.
Not only that, CNC machines can even make modifications for firearms, including grips and other accessories. The only difference from a 3D printer is the amount of material you need to start with. However, it is illegal to manufacture firearms without a permit, but CNC mills are used in the manufacturing process for many firearm brands.
It isn't only firearms made; the military and defense industry often uses CNC manufacturing for other weapons and equipment they need. The entire industry relies on CNC manufacturing for a lot of their equipment.
While this may come as no surprise, there are many times in the construction process where CNC punching can come in handy. Some of which you may not expect.
The amount of precision is hard to match by the most skilled carpenters, and there are certain jobs, especially when working on existing structures, that require a perfect fit.
Other trades may find the need for this level of accuracy, including pipefitters, plumbers, and even HVAC technicians. The reason is mainly that CNC technology can simply offer so much more than any other tool. They can act as a router, drill press, jigsaw, table saw, jointer, even a surface planer, and more all at once, with the ability to work on any material you can think of. It's hard to beat.
This is a broad term, and that's because CNC technology offers such broad service to the industry. Aviation, railway, and automotive industries all use CNC technology in some form or another because it offers such a wide variety of services.
Plane parts have to be manufactured with such precision to ensure the proper functioning of all parts when you are thousands of feet in the air. That's why the industry has turned to machining services for so long.
Railways and automobiles also need to be put together properly to ensure safety. When over 70 million vehicles are manufactured every year, automakers need to be certain that quality control is of the highest priority. Everything has to be uniform. Well, humans simply can't give the same amount of uniformity that machines can, making CNC services extremely valuable to the industry.
R&D across almost every industry will need prototypes as well as some degree of trial and error. That includes physics, chemistry, biotech, woodworking, and more. CNC machining offers the ability to take on any idea from your head and make it into reality with expert precision.
Since its inception, it's been used to develop accurate prototypes for almost every field you can name, and it continues to do the same today.
The truth is that CNC machines can basically do it all. Anything that needs to be manufactured from the right volume of almost any material can be done on a CNC machine.
What other machine could build an electric guitar, spinning wheel rims, a door, and a dental crown in a matter of a couple of hours? CNC technology has upped the ante for manufacturing of all different niches and styles and is only continuing to improve. No matter what your manufacturing needs are, a CNC can provide them for you.
CNC machining provides the benefit of every tool you can imagine in the hands of an expert craftsman. If you're looking to make just about anything, the right CNC technician will be able to program it for you and make as many copies as you like! Stay up to date with our latest manufacturing news and contact us with any needs or questions you have!
